rant

[rant]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak or declaim extravagantly or violently; talk in a wild or vehement way; rave.

   The demagogue ranted for hours.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or declaim in a ranting manner.

noun

1. ranting, extravagant, or violent declamation.

   Synonyms: extravagance, bombast

2. a ranting utterance.

rant

/ rænt /

verb

1. to utter (something) in loud, violent, or bombastic tones

2. (intr) to make merry; frolic

noun

1. loud, declamatory, or extravagant speech; bombast

2. a wild revel

3. an energetic dance or its tune

Other Word Forms

• ranter noun
• rantingly adverb
• outrant verb (used with object)
• unranting adjective
• ranting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rant¹

First recorded in 1590–1600, rant is from the Dutch word ranten (obsolete) to talk foolishly

Word History and Origins

Origin of rant¹

C16: from Dutch ranten to rave; related to German ranzen to gambol

Example Sentences

He rants to his friends about how the government “can’t cancel a show” and wonders what might be next on the chopping block.

From Los Angeles Times

Ye is seen proclaiming himself free after going off his medication, only to spiral into rants about conspiracies against him.

From Los Angeles Times

He bought pies from a fruit stand off Interstate 80 between San Francisco and Sacramento and delivered them as apologies to targets of his rants.

From Los Angeles Times

The neighbors asked the Pierrats to trim their gum trees and Marc flew into a rage, ranting about a supposed plot to spy on them.

From Los Angeles Times

The president is definitely alive and sounded like his normal self, which is to say he let loose a bunch of lies, strange fantasies and well-worn rants.

From Salon

Related Words

• diatribe 
• harangue 
• oration 
• rhetoric 
• tirade